At what mileage are folks needing to re-shim their valve lash??

I'm at 4500km now, at 1000km 3 valves were right in the middle, but 1 exhaust(right side iirc) was closer to the min. Tolerance.

I'm wondering if it is time to buy a shim set and re-measure my valve lash at this time?? I'm wondering y'all's history WRT changing valve shims.

Cheers
Matty

 

For my '09 the manual calls for the first check to be at 12000km.
I think you're on the right track to check sooner. I checked mine for the first time at 4900km; they were all at mid spec.
You might be able to get just the shims you need when you need them for a small trade-in fee at a local moto shop, the size is not unique to the KLX.

 

I ordered what I needed. I think I got them on ebay at the time, but forget. I measured up the clearance, then did the math to figure what would put me in the middle or a shade open, since the valve wear is deeper in the valve seat. In the process I found that I only needed 2 shims since the calculations came out making two that I had work on other valves. Unless you require the ability to do the work all in a few days, a whole kit is kind of a big amount of cash.

One thing I did. When I pulled the cam cover after I did the measurements (and pulled the cams since I did the MCM at the same time) I put the cover back on snugging up the bolts. That way the gasket would not shrink or get goofy as they sometimes do. Figured it was worth the tiny bit of work, plus the top end is sealed against dirt and crud.

I ordered the shims I needed and when they came in I put everything back together again.

 

I'm at around 9,800 miles. Left intake on the tight side of spec so went to my favorite dirt bike shop during today's lunch hour and traded a 3.00 for a 2.95 at no charge. The other three are well within spec. They may have been adjusted earlier, but not my me. My first check was around 3,500 miles soon after getting the bike and they were good.

 

I did my exhaust at 15,000, and then all of them, to put them on the open side, at 30,000 miles. I keep meaning to check them again(now at 42,000) but the bike runs great.

 

I used to do that, but the shop sold off and eventually closed. I haven't asked the one I deal with now. I might have some leverage since I spend about $2000 annually on gaskets and parts, I haven't asked. The previous shop became a bit iffy because it seemed they got too many of one size and not enough of another. Personally if I was the service manager I'd set up a low cost exchange, maybe $2 or $3 to trade out per shim, the low exchange fee would make them able to keep up stock on ones that run low. It would just be worth it for both parties.

 

When I had to shim my crf the shop wanted $7 for a shim, $6 with and exchange. I just bought the shims I needed and kept the old ones for that price...and this makes me want to buy a set for $80.

I checked my valves yesterday. Everything was right in the middle of the spec and the 1 tight valve from before has loosened up, or a got an accurate measurement this time. I also leaned out the main jet 1 size because summer is here and staying for awhile. Last weekend I was at 3000ft and my bottom end was really boogy at anything past 1/2 throttle. Should be good now...

 

Geez, maybe I should sell shim kits...

I have reshimmed the valves on my 650 using maximum 5 shims total over 47,000 miles. I much rather spend $30 over $70 any time. If I'd have kept shims I'd still have all of them in a bag somewhere. Much like those I did replace on my 250 that I did have to order. It may look like a bad deal, but really, is it all that horrible? You only gain keeping old ones if you actually use them again, otherwise they're just scrap steel laying around. Plus I'd probably made a counter offer at half price - $3.50/shim. All they can say is "no."

Kind of penny wise, pound foolish. Now if I can cut my cost and not have extra stuff laying around I do it. It's like jetting, do a lot of research to figure what should work then buy a few that should hit versus buying three richer and three leaner or some general jet kit. When I did my stock carb I only bought one of each thing and it worked. Of course I cheated a bit with the Dial-A-Jet too. But that's just me looking back at my experience.

I thought about trying to set up some sort of shim exchange here, but hey, it's going to cost a couple bucks to mail them if they're too thick to be machine cancelled and it might be a pain to keep track.

 

The problem I see without a shim kit is if the shop doesn't have what you need and they have to order it in. That's a week, sometimes longer. Having the set on hand eliminates a hassle, which is priceless IMO. Plus you can help out buddies and klxforum members in a pinch.

 

The shims work in many bikes so the kit can be worth it, if you have more than one bike.
I got it because of local availability, which is zero.
As it stands, I have lots of shims to use before I need to go for new valves and springs. I've used the ones right in the middle of the box and will probably never use more than 1/4 of them, but they are there when needed.